Woman allegedly sexually assaulted by former Uber driver at American University

WASHINGTON D.C. – A former Uber driver has been arrested and charged with sexual assault following an alleged attack on a woman he gave a ride to early Sunday morning.

El Houcine Jourhdaly, 36, of Springfield is no longer associated with the ride-sharing service. The company said he has not driver for Uber since 2015.

According to police, Jourhdaly convinced the woman and a man to get into his car and drove them to the American University campus. Court documents allege Jourhdaly then forced the man out of the car and drove the woman to a nearby parking lot.

She told police that Jourhdaly forced her out of the car, bent her over the vehicle and violated her. According to court documents, Jourhdaly told police that the sex was consensual.

News of the attack shocked many students on the American University campus. Some students were surprised at the time of the attack (sometime between 3 and 4 a.m.) and others hope it’s something that will prompt more safety measures from the school.